Aging Gracefully: Skin Care in Your 20's, 30's, 40's, and Beyond

Aging Gracefully: Skin Care in Your 20's, 30's, 40's, and Beyond

How to keep your skin looking great!

Invest some time and care!

Everyone wants to have younger looking skin. Unfortunately, even the most expensive skin care products, with all their claims of 'reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles', can't turn back the years. However, don't despair! There are steps that we can all take to make sure our skin looks healthy and vibrant and stays wrinkle-free for longer. All we've got to do is invest some time and care in looking after it.

It is important to understand the basic function of our skin in order to look after it properly. The skin is our body’s largest organ and comprises three major layers:

The Epidermis: This layer has five sub-layers; the outer layer consists of mainly dead cells which are continuously shed and replaced by cells beneath. The epidermis is also responsible for ‘water proofing’ your skin, protecting your skin from potential invasion of microbes and generate new skin cells which move from the deep layer of the epidermis to the outer layer, where they are eventually shed.

The Dermis: Is the ‘middle layer of the skin and is composed of connective tissue containing collagen and elastin. The dermis is thick in the palms and soles and very thin in the eyelids. It contains blood vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles.

The Subcutaneous layer: This layer consists of areolar and adipose tissue. Fibres from the dermis extend down into the subcutaneous layer and anchor the skin to it. The subcutaneous layer, in turn, attaches to underlying tissues and organs.

Aging of the skin

There are several factors influencing how quickly our skin ages, ranging from genetic factors, your natural skin type, as well as external factors such as exposure to sunlight, environmental factors and whether you smoke or not. In general, pale skins wrinkle faster than darker skins, which are protected by increased amounts of pigment and lipids.

Another vital factor is, of course, our age. Our skin looks and functions very differently at 20 as opposed to when we are 60.

Below is a skin care plan of how to look after your skin as the decades go by and how to adapt your skin care regime accordingly.

Looking after your skin in your 20s

Your 20s is a great time for your skin. You've left behind the adolescence acne and your skin has a radiant, youthful glow and the epidermis is well toned.

However, this is not the time to be complacent. In your 20s skin cell renewal drops by up to 28 per cent, dead skin cells are not as easily shed and external factors are starting to have a greater impact, leaving your skin slightly duller.

According to dermatologists, 80 per cent of all aging can be directly related to exposure to sunlight. Therefore, it is a good idea to avoid the mid-day sun, or if you have to be out in the heat of the day (especially in countries like Australia), than cover up. Penetrating UVA rays will start to damage collagen fibres and elastin coils in your skin.

Smoking one factor you can control and now would be a good time to quite. Smoking inhibits oxygen getting to the outer layer of your skin and has a premature aging effect. In addition, smoking can cause fine lines around the mouth over the years and this is to be avoided – if you want to keep your good looks.

Looking after your skin in your 30s

By the time you get to your 30s skin cell turnover has slowed. Environmental damage from pollution, smoke and sunlight are starting to take their toll on the dermis, causing collagen fibres to loosen so that skin starts to loose its tone and develop fine lines and wrinkles. When you smile, subcutaneous fat forms ridges and refuse to bounce back as readily as it once did. Your first wrinkles may start to appear.

By now you should have established a daily skincare regime that involves exfoliating (two or three times a week), cleansing, moisturising and sun protection for your skin. In your 30s, it's important to maintain a balanced diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and fish, which are high in antioxidants such as Vitamins A, B, C and E. These Vitamins counteract free radicals in your body that help the skin to repair itself, produce the enzymes that stabilise collagen production, and stay moist and healthy. For further protection, try using a day crème, such as one that contains vitamin E, for example: Wildcrafted’s Age Defying Essence.

Alcohol should only be consumed in moderation as it deprives your skin of vital nutrients and may cause your facial blood vessels to become dilated leading to permanent, red ‘spider veins’ on your cheeks and in men often across the nose.

Maintaining well hydrated tissues by drinking plenty of water each and every day (3 litres a day is not at all excessive) is vital to retain moisture in your skin. In addition, you should ensure that you get enough quality sleep.

Looking after your skin in your 40s

In your 40s, collagen fibres decrease in number, stiffen, break apart, and form into a shapeless, matted tangle. Elastic fibres lose some of their elasticity, thicken into clumps, and fray. The result is the skin forms crevices and furrows known as lines and wrinkles. In addition, loss of fat in the subcutaneous layer leaves your skin more fragile, whereas the dermis will continue to lose its elasticity. A rich nourishing night crème, such as Wildcrafted’s rejuvenating night crème, becomes a vital part of your skin care regime.

During this time the stratum corneum (the outer layer of the epidermis) starts to grow even thicker, as dead skin cells hang around for longer. If you are not already using an exfoliant regularly, now is a good time to get into the habit of exfoliating your skin regularly using a facial scrub – 2-3 times a week is all that’s necessary. You could also use a cream containing Rose oil, Jojoba oil or similar, as these contain natural AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids) and to help remove dead skin cells.

As deeper wrinkles start to form, you may wish to use a complete skin care system, which systematically helps you to nourish and moisturise your skin on all levels. Choose natural skin care products for your daily skin care regime, as you do not want to introduce unnecessary toxins into your system by using products full of unpronounceable chemicals. Quality natural skin care systems, such as Wildcrafted’s range of natural skin care systems should be matched to your specific skin type.

Looking after your skin in your 50s and above

As we reach our 50s and beyond, the hair and nails grow more slowly. Langerhans cells (involved in the immune response, dwindle in number, thus decreasing the immune responsiveness of older skin. Decreased size of sebaceous (oil) glands leads to dry and broken skin that is more susceptible to infection.

In women, after the menopause, decreased oestrogen levels mean that skin lose its plumpness and tone, and it may be left dry, itchy and more sensitive to allergens.

At this stage in your life it is important to take that extra care of your skin’s health. Mature skin is more fragile, prone to injury and infection and bruises easily. As if this was not bad enough, it also takes longer to heal. Taking care of your skin will reduce the aging effect; keep it healthier as well as more resistant to injury and infections. Remember, a face that has a lived in look is much more attractive than a Botox face and character is much more beauty.

Aromatherapy Treatments For Skin Care

Aromatherapy Treatments For Skin Care

When speaking of aromatherapy many people consider its smell or aroma which obviously factors into many aromatherapy products, but aromatherapy also has many uses in skin care also. Essential oils don't have to only smell good, they have to be able to do some good for you also.

Aromatherapy has been traditionally used for its therapeutic properties throughout the ages. Even in the Bible it mentions how Queen Esther used twelve months of beauty treatments before she even came before the King. (Esther 2:12) This beauty treatment included baths in oil and Myrrh.

Many people do not realize the great benefits that essential oils play in the regime of skin care. Aromatherapy treatments can be very helpful for all kinds of skin care needs. There are skin care treatments for aging skin, dry skin, oily skin, normal skin, sensitive skin, Thread veins and broken capillaries, eczema, and acne, just to name a few.

Essential Oils are also great for hair care and body lotions etc. but that is another subject.

When choosing essential oils for aromatherapy treatments for skin care we need to choose the correct essential oil as well as the correct carrier oil. Many people do not realize that the carrier oil that is used to diffuse essential oils in aromatherapy are equally important to their skin care plan as is the actual essential oil they are choosing. Also it must be noted that the dilution rate for skin care oils for the face are much lower than you would use if you were making a bath oil. A good aromatherapy course will teach you these simple rules.

For example, we would not choose a heavy oil such as wheatgerm or borage oil if we were making a skin care recipe for oily skin, but if we were making the skin care treatment for dry or aging skin then it would be very practical indeed.

Essential Oils for Acne would include such essential oils as Tea Tree, Lavender, Lemon and Geranium in a carrier oil of Grapeseed oil. A good toner for acne or greasy skin would be Orange Flower Water or witch hazel which have very good astringent qualities. Therefore a good skin care recipe for Acne would be to mix 1 drop of Tea Tree Oil, 1 drop of Lavender, 1 drop of Lemon and 1 drop of Geranium to 15 ml of Grapeseed oil. We would then warm the oil by rotating the bottle of our mix between our hands. This will not only warm the oil slightly but help to mix the essential oils properly. We do not shake essential oils, we blend them.

If on the other hand we were making a skin care treatment for aging skin then we would use a different carrier oil, such as Jojoba, Apricot Kernel, evening Primrose, Peach Kernel, Rosehip Seed, Sweet Almond, Avocado, Hazelnut, Borage or Wheatgerm. These carrier oils are all good for dry, aging skin.

Borage and Wheatgerm oil are quite heavy and stronger smelling than the other oils mentioned, but very beneficial for this particular skin type so it would be a good idea to use only a small amount of this into a more pleasant smelling carrier oil such as Sweet Almond oil or Apricot Kernel.

The Essential Oils we would use for a skin care treatment for Dry and Aging skin would consist of different oils than we used for the Oily and or Acne prone skin. In this case we could choose from many great essential oils. For our purposes let's choose Carrot Seed, Patchouli and Geranium. (I personally prefer to use Rose Geranium as the aroma is more pleasant to my tastes). Therefore in 13 ml of Sweet Almond oil or Apricot Kernel Oil we would add 1 ml of Borage Oil and 1 ml of Wheatgerm oil bring the total of our Carrier oil base to 15 ml. Then we would add 1 drop Carrot Seed Oil, 1 Drop of Patchouli and 2 drops of Geranium. Blend well and warm between your hands before applying this to your face. Voila, you have made your very own facial treatment. Congratulations!

Many people do not realize that aromatherapy is not only about blending essential oils, but also having the knowledge of how to blend the carrier oils with them. Choosing the proper carrier oil for the particular skin care treatment is also necessary. This is why I always recommend that people who are interested in Aromatherapy find a good course that will explain these important things to them. Sadly many aromatherapy courses are only a rehash of what people have copied off of other peoples webpages. This is a dangerous practice because misleading information is so easily attainable via the Internet.

If you want to learn to take care of your body naturally then you really should invest in a good aromatherapy course where you can learn in detail how to blend not only essential oils but the carrier oils that go with them. This way you will be on your way to learning the proper techniques for proper natural skin care treatments.

How to Find the Best Skin Care For You

How to Find the Best Skin Care For You

Choosing the best skin care for you doesn't have to be hard. All you need to do is to evaluate your problems and figure out what's out there that can help you. By following the experiences of others and sticking with a plan you should be able to find good results.

What are your skin care problems?

The first step should be figuring out the problems with your skin care. You might be dealing with wrinkles, acne, dry skin, oily skin, or a combination of several. If you aren't sure what your skin care problems are, you can see a specialist to have an evaluation. If you're concerned about your skin, however, the chances are good that you know exactly what you'd like to fix.

What are your options?

After you figure out what skin care problems you'd like to fix, it's time to figure out what your options are. That might mean seeing a specialist or simply evaluating different product options to add to your skin care routine.

There are many different skin care companies out there, but you might have a favorite. See if that company offers products that will give you the best skin care treatment for your skin type.

It's usually the case that you don't want to just stick with a product line you've been using if you aren't seeing good results. A better idea is to research many different products that are geared toward your skin type.

You can figure out what products are available a few different ways. One option is to look at product reviews online. You might even find some good options in beauty magazines. Yet another option is to ask friends and family members what worked for them.

Evaluate your options

Now that you have a good idea of what's out there, it's time to choose the product (or product line) that is right for you. Go through some reviews of the product to see what other people think of it. Have your dermatologist go through the ingredients to get their opinion. There are many different ways to evaluate.

Make your choice!

There comes a point where you have to choose your skin care and start using it. Hopefully you've done enough homework to believe strongly that the product will work for you.

Many people start off very excited to use a certain product, but then the excitement dies down after the results aren't immediate. It's important to realize that it usually takes a while for the effects to show up. If you just jump from one product to another you will probably never see the results you want.

Is it working?

After you've given the product enough time to work, it's time to evaluate it. If you are starting to see results, stick with it! If you're not seeing any results or the effects are negative it's time to try something different. Soon enough you'll find the solution that is right for you.

Using the best skin care is important for your skin. Since you have individual skin needs, that means evaluating different options and settling on one that works great for your skin.

Acne Skin Care for Men: Skin Care Made Simple

Acne Skin Care for Men: Skin Care Made Simple

To say that men are not known for spending a lot of time on skin care is to make the understatement of a century. Although there has been a general increase in guys buying into skin care, many still use the same soap to wash their face that they used to wash their armpits only a few minutes earlier. Let's face it, skin care can be a scary world, especially for guys who haven't been shopping for acne products this century! There are billions of products out there, so not only do men have to brave aisles and aisles of skin care products in order to grab one and make for the cashier, they also risk buying a product that doesn't even meet their needs. Many guys would rather suffer, and suffering isn't that bad if you have great skin; however, men, like women, can also suffer from acne, and that old bar of shower soap doesn't do much to help with that!

Acne skin care for men doesn't need to be complicated. On the contrary, many men find that using a very basic skin care regimen helps their skin clear up noticeably, without the dozens of acne care steps that us women go through daily. Another difference between men and women's acne skin care is the number of products involved. Where women may be willing to use three different products each for a different effect, men can often get away with one product that has multiple functions. An example of a simple skin care plan for men is as follows.

Morning:

Step 1--use a mild, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free cleanser to get the face clean after a good night's sleep.

Step 2--follow this up with an oil-free moisturizer that contains a non-comedogenic sunscreen of at least SPF 15

Evening:

Step 1--use that same morning skin cleanser to wash off the accumulated grit and grime of the day

Step 2--apply a topical retinoid to act against acne and reduce oiliness of the skin

It's that easy!! Anthony Logistics for Men has a number of facial cleansers and moisturizers that satisfy these requirements, as do the Jack Black, DDF, and Peter Thomas Roth skin care lines, amongst others. Guys can get topical retinoids over the counter for mild to moderate cases of acne, but they may need a stronger prescription treatment if their acne is more severe.

In addition to the low-maintenance acne skin care regimen above, there are several other things that men can do to look after their skin and prevent acne breakouts. One particular source of irritation unique to men is shaving. Preparing the face with warm water prior to a shave can help minimize nicks and irritation by increasing the elasticity of the skin. Lathering properly is also important for preventing acne, and shaving with the grain as opposed to against the grain can prevent shaving rash that appears from too close a shave. Electric razors are much better for acne than blade shaving, but if guys prefer a blade, single blades are the least harsh on acne-prone skin.

A final skin care tip for men is to be wary of hair care products containing alcohol or oils that can wreak havoc on one's skin. Another option is to style hair in such a way that it doesn't touch the face, or to shower and wash hair at night so the product doesn't migrate onto their face via their pillow.

While the world of skin care may still be a little intimidating, many skin care products are now aimed for the specific needs of men. Simple, low-maintenance, and effective, all many guys need for acne prevention is a decent cleanser, a good all-round moisturizer with sunscreen, and a mild medicated acne cream to wear at night. Healthy skin is in, and both gals and guys can benefit from a regular skin care regimen.